Surface modification for controlled cell growth on copolymers of N-isopropylacrylamide

We investigated the behaviour of cell cultures on the surface of thermoresponsive polymers. We synthesised a series of copolymers of N-isopropylacrylamide and N-tert -butylacrylamide (NtBA) with ratios of 85:15, 65:35 and 50:50. Increasing the amount of NtBA results in a reduction in the lower critical solution temperature as determined by microcalorimetric methods and an increase in surface hydrophobicity. Experiments determined that human epithelial cell growth was almost identical on surfaces with a higher degree of hydrophobicity. Preconditioning of surfaces with cell culture medium containing serum promoted cell adhesion on more hydrophilic polymers.